Some gov’t supporters angry RDA contracts went to non-supporters
Reports have surfaced that supporters of the governing Virgin Islands Party (VIP) have been complaining about development contracts being issued to non-VIP supporters.
The contracts in contention were said to have been issued by the Recovery & Development Agency (RDA) through a $65 million loan borrowed from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) back in 2018.
“Some of our supporters of the government even got angry when they heard persons that they claimed were not supporting the government got the contracts and I’m telling them, ‘I hear you, I understand you, and I am sympathetic to what you’re saying’,” Premier Fahie said during a recent House of Assembly (HOA) sitting.
The Premier argued that it was better a Virgin Islander or a Belonger-owned company receives RDA contracts than to have them leave the shores of the BVI.
“Sometimes you have to put people above the politics,” Premier Fahie said. “And yes, we know that we are very appreciative of those who support us but then there was some who got [and] some who didn’t get it this time. But it is based on a system of transparency.”
Premier Fahie expressed that the majority of these RDA projects – more than 85 percent – were awarded to local contractors.
And according to the Premier, his government not only put parameters in place for RDA monies to remain within the local economy, but it also increased the tender ceiling to allow local contractors to bid for higher RDA projects.
NDP gov’t crippled $65M disbursement
Premier Fahie further suggested that the disbursement of the $65 million CDB loan was hamstrung by infighting within the former governing party and the strict conditions that had been placed on the loan.
“I am convinced that nothing was done with the $65 million [CDB loan signed by the former DDP administration] because the persons of the day were not getting along and they could not guarantee that it was going to go to the people who they wanted it to go to,” Premier Fahie said.
According to the Premier, the policies that his party implemented thus far were able to help all of the people of the Virgin Islands, whether they’ve been supporters or not.
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I am a VIP supporter but i am voting NDP next time and contrary to what he is saying, a local contractor was awarded the contract for the social security homes in long bush, brought in all the building material from overseas. The only local who benefitted was a partner of the contractor who did all the excavation and concrete works.
That’s a lie, you check with Ljd,Ctl, Drakes and many more, asked them if they benefited before you come here running up your mouth….
Am I reading this, that people only should get bread because of the party they support. Silliness, why your brother has to become your enemy because of the things he need, be glad for the brother and move on your day will come, don’t be greedy.
Premier , I lift my hat to you showing integrity ,fairness, transparency, compassion and respect for all. It can never been about party supporters, it is for all the people to live and work in the BVI.
This shouldn’t even be a discussion. But the fact that it is shows where AF mind is at. RDA is not about hand picking contractors in a political alliance basis. It is about qualifications and a transparent tender process. Simple. So the fact that AF saying his supporters vex because non supporters got contracts is irrelevant. But he always want to make it seem like he is the saviour or the righteous one in favor of defending all VI people. Meanwhile steady victimizing anyone he thinks did not support him.
Even so we thank NDP for putting the RDA in place to begin with and who running it now? Same NDP founder Ronnie.
I do not believe a word you said. It was the NDP that put the RDA in place. I heard many members for the NDP advocating for the money to be spent here if we borrowed it. I cannot recall ever hearing you say that. I am truly tired of you and all your untruths. The BVI deserves better than this. You are a national embarrassment and you would not stop with all your untruths even though it landed you squarely in the middle of a COI.
@redstorm What a bunch of BULL CRAP
I was unaware that political party affiliation was one of the official criteria used as part of the tender process.
I need someone to explain if it is only the supporters of the VIP that pay taxes in this country? If the answer is ‘No’ then I don’t see the reason why they are becoming upset because non VIP supporters are awarded contracts by the RDA. This is down right out ludicrous and should NOT be entertained by any government. As long as you qualify for a contract, it should be given. It should not be based on party affiliation because everyone has bills to pay; not just them alone.
Ndp has done it too and ask the one opposition leader now. He starved many because he knew they didn’t support him. Once a leopard shows his skin and says he chanced leave it there where the skin changed. We need responsible truthful leaders
Check your facts before you blog. Where did all the steel (several hundred tons) come from. Where did all the tiles (80,000 sq. Ft.) come from, all the electrical materials come from, etc.
If you know tell us and save time.
So to appease their supporters they would do things like giving a contract for $786,000 to put an AC system in the gym. This was not done using the RDA or else the price could not have been that high. Andrew believe he alone got brains.
OMG. Do we really have people in this society who believe that if someone did not support the ruling party that person should starve?? Wtf is the world coming to? Government has the responsibility to take care of everyone whether they supported, voted for them or didn’t. We vote and give our support to individuals of our chosen. The outcome of an election have nothing to do with how public benefits are dispensed. Peoples stop the bs please.
“Sometimes you have to put people above the politics,”
“Sometimes” is the key word here. Andrew just admitted politcs before the people. Most of the time
S o m e ti m e s…
I do the moral thing…
Sometimes and always sometimes but not always.
******
The COI did the reveal.
The COI provided a kindergarten explanation for the last 12 months on corporate governance and you still have people in the territory who believe that contracts should be awarded on the basis of relationships? WOWOWOWOWOWOW
Stop fooling the people . You are now playing both sides of the fence
It is still an VIP supporter that gets all the benefits.
Your days are numbered . Be a leader not a politician . Too much glaring lies to reclaim your self now . You cannot gather back the feathers .
Why is this even a public discussion?
Some things are not worth addressing.
This man just cannot help himself.
What are his ” advisors ” being paid for Andrew ?
If you do what is rightm out of habit and good character you won’t need a pat on the back.
S o m e ti m e s…
I do the moral thing…
Sometimes and always sometimes but not always.
******
The COI did the reveal.
The more I try to like AF the more I realize I just can’tttt with AF dehman. This is delusional
That just shows RDA are doing their job and getting this friend thing out of government work. Good Job RDA
Wow this article shows why BVI infrastructure is like a third world country. Petty, protectionist and small minded. BVI will always be backwards with this mindset.